Electric current carrying conduit mounted on sealing strip at exhausting devices

ABSTRACT

An electric current carrying device at an exhausting device for use in exhausting or sucking-out unhealthy gases, preferably exhausts from vehicles. At least one electric current carrying line (24 and/or 25), extending along a guide rail (4), is included in or forms part of a sealing strip (14 and/or 15).

The present invention relates to an electric current carrying device atexhausting devices for exhausting or sucking-out unhealthy gases,preferably exhausts from vehicles, whereby the exhausting deviceincludes a guide rail for a travelling crab or carriage, whereby theguide rail includes at least one sealing strip which seals or closeslower portions of said guide rail, whereby the interior of thetravelling crab communicates with the interior of the guide rail and iscapable of moving away the sealing strip when said crab travels alongsaid guide rail, whereby a gas conduit is provided on the travellingcrab for removal of the unhealthy gases, preferably the exhausts fromvehicles, through the travelling crab and the guide rail, whereby adevice operable by means of electric current and located on thetravelling crab and/or on the gas conduit provided thereon is operablethrough a current circuit including electric current carrying lineswhich extend along the guide rail and which are connected to a source ofcurrent, whereby the current circuit further includes electric currentcarrying lines which are provided on the travelling crab and which areconnected to the device operable by electric current, whereby theelectric current carrying lines on the travelling crab through slidingcontacts are in electric current transmitting contact with the electriccurrent carrying lines extending along the guide rail and whereby thedevice operable by electric current is an electromagnetic device forfastening the gas conduit to a vehicle so that exhausts from the exhaustpipe of the vehicle can be sucked thereinto.

Devices of the abovementioned type are already known and can bedescribed as a combination of our U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,889 regarding theguide rail with travelling crab and U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,017 relating tothe electromagnetic device for fastening the gas conduit to a vehicle.

At said prior art devices the electric current carrying lines consist ofself-supporting profiled rails which are placed beside the guide railsand connected thereto by means of brackets. These profiled rails must bestraight for enabling the sliding contacts on the travelling crab toengage said profiled rails when said crab travels along the guide rail.In order to ensure that the profiled rails are sufficiently straight tofulfill the abovementioned object, it is required that said rails areprofiled and dimentioned for obtaining the required rigidity, whichmeans that they are expensive. Furthermore, special brackets arerequired for fastening the profiled rails on the guide rail. Thebrackets must be isolating against the guide rail and it is an extensivework to mount said brackets. Also, the necessity of these brackets andthe mounting thereof are costly factors.

The object of the present invention has been to eliminate thesedrawbacks and, at first hand, provide an electric current carryingdevice at a lower price. This is arrived at according to the inventionwhile the device initially defined principally has received thecharacterizing features of subsequent claim 1. By means of thesecharacterizing features, the electric current carrying device becomessubstantially less expensive than previously but also that said deviceis easier to assemble and transport.

The invention will be further described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exhausting device having anelectric current carrying device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section II--II through the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a magnification of a portion of the section of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a coiled up metal tape forming part of theelectric current carrying device of FIG. 1; and;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of parts of the device of FIG. 1 with anelectric current device of alternative construction; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of parts of the device of FIG. 1 with anelectric current device of another alternative construction.

The drawing figures illustrate an exhausting device 1 for sucking-out orextracting exhausts from vehicles 2 so that said exhausts do not spreadin the premises 3 wherein the vehicle 2 is located.

The exhausting device 1 includes a guide rail 4 which through brackets(not shown) is suspended on the ceiling in said premises 3 and whichextends along that part of said premises wherein the vehicle 2 is placedand driven. Guide rails 4 for this purpose are wellknown and consist inthis case of an elongated upper profile member 5 which defines runningflanges 6 adapted to be engaged by wheels 8, 9 on a travelling crab orcarriage 7. Down below on the upper profile member 5 there are providedtwo elongated, downwardly directed profiled strips 10, 11 and eachprofiled strip 10, 11 is in turn down below provided with a mountingportion 12 and 13 respectively, for a sealing strip 14, 15 with elasticproperties. These sealing strips 14, 15 engage each other down below andthereby seal or close lower portions of the guide rail 4, which definesa gas exhausting or extraction passage 16 through which the exhaustsfrom the vehicle 2 are extracted.

The travelling crab 7 has an upper member 17 which from below protrudein between the sealing strips 14, 15 and which can move said sealingstrips apart when said crab travels along the guide rail 4. Due to theirelastic properties, the sealing strips 14, 15 will again engage eachother when the travelling crab 7 has passed.

The travelling crab 7 also includes a lower member 18 from which a gasconduit 19, preferably a hose, is depending. This gas conduit 19 can beconnected to the exhaust pipe 20 of the vehicle 2 or located in relationthereto so that it can receive the exhausts from said exhaust pipe 20for extraction through the gas conduit 19, the travelling crab 7 and thegas extraction passage 16 defined by the guide rail 4.

On the gas conduit 19 there is provided an electromagnetic device 21which is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle 2 so that said gas conduit19 holds its extraction position relative to the exhaust pipe 20. Theelectromagnetic device 21 is operated by electric current through acurrent circuit 22 which is connected to a source of current 23. Thecurrent circuit 22 includes electric current carrying lines 24 and 25which extend along the guide rail 4 and electric current carrying lines26 and 27 which are located on the travelling crab 7, extend downwardstherefrom along the gas conduit 19 and are connected to theelectromagnetic device 21. The electric current carrying lines 26, 27 onthe travelling crab 7 are in contact with the lines 24, 25 throughsliding contacts 28 and 29, preferably in form of so calledcarbon-brushes, whereby the current circuit 22 can be closed while thecrab 7 travels along the guide rail 4.

The electric current carrying lines 24, 25 which run along the guiderail 4, are mounted on or are included in or form part of the sealingstrips 14, 15, whereby the electric current carrying lines 24, 25 arelocated so that the sealing strips 14, 15 isolate said lines relative tothe guide rail 4 with regard to electrical contact. This isolatingeffect is attained preferably while the electric current carrying lines24, 25 are provided on such portions of the sealing strips 14, 15 havingelectric current insulating properties. At these portions of the sealingstrips 14, 15, mounting portions 30, 31 can be provided, through whichsaid sealing strips 14, 15 can be mounted on or attached to the mountingportions 12, 13 of the profiled strips 10, 11. Hereby, the electriccurrent carrying lines 24, 25 will be located on such upper portions ofthe sealing strips 14, 15 which are not moved away by the crab orcarriage 7 during its travel along the guide rail 4, but alternatively,said electric current carrying lines 24, 25 can be mounted on or formpart of such portions of the sealing strips 14, 15 which are moved awayby the travelling crab 7, provided said lines 24, 25 are flexible.

Each electric current carrying line 24 and 25 respectively, includes orconsists of preferably a tape 32 of metallic material, e.g. stainlessspring steel.

The tape 32 preferably has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and saidtape has a thickness of preferably about 0,5 mm and a width ofpreferably about 32 mm. This tape 32 can be coiled up to a roll 33 (seeFIG. 4) which is held together by means of any suitable type of clampingmeans 34. One end portion of the tape 32 has a connector 35 forconnection to an electric current line forming part of the currentcircuit 22 and adapted to connect said tape 32 to the source of current23. The tape 32 may be transported in coiled up condition and when itshall be mounted at the sealing strip 14 and 15 respectively, theclamping means 34 are released and said tape uncoiled so that it can beinserted into a groove 36 and 37 respectively, provided therefore ineach sealing strip 14 and 15 respectively.

Each groove 36 and 37 respectively, is provided on the opposite side ofthe sealing strip 14 and 15 respectively, as the mounting portions 30,31 of said strip, and adjacent one longitudinal edge 38 of said strip 14and 15 respectively and right opposite to or substantially opposite tosaid mounting portions 30, 31. Each groove 36 and 37 respectively, isdefined by two elastic tongues 39, 40 which are provided so that onetongue 39 extends over a longitudinal edge portion of the electriccurrent carrying line 24 and 25 respectively, and the other tongue 40over an opposed edge portion of said lines 24 and 25 respectively.

The tongues 39, 40 are preferably integral with the sealing strip 14 and15 respectively, and since each sealing strip preferably entirelyconsists of elastic rubber material, the tongues 39, 40 are alsoelastic. The electric current carrying lines 24 and 25 respectively, canpreferably be mounted on the respective sealing strip 14, 15 by firstinserting one edge portion thereof in under one of the tongues 39, 40,whereafter the other tongue 39, 40 is folded back so that the electriccurrent carrying line 24 and 25 respectively, can be inserted into thegroove 36 and 37 respectively, in its entire width. Thereafter, thetongue 39 or 40 which is folded back is released so that said tongue,due to its elasticity, returns to its original position, whereby thetongues 39, 40 together retain the electric current carrying line 24 and25 respectively.

Those portions 36, 37, 39, 40 of the sealing strips 14, 15 on which theelectric current carrying lines 24, 25 are mounted, are preferablyidentical or substantially identical in shape and also both the electriccurrent carrying lines 24, 25 in the two sealing strips 14, 15 arepreferably identical or substantially identical in shape.

When the current circuit 22 is closed, the electromagnetic device 21 isactivated, whereby said device can be fastened or mounted on such asuitable spot on the vehicle 2 that the gas conduit 19 can be moved orbrought to an operating position relative to the exhaust pipe 20. Whenthe current circuit 22 is opened, the magnetic force of theelectromagnetic device 21 is disrupted, whereby said device loosens fromthe vehicle 2 which now can leave the premises 3 without bringing thegas conduit 19 with it. The gas conduit 19 is preferably pulled up bymeans of a winding device 41 located on the travelling crab 7.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment illustrated inthe drawings and described in the specification. As examples ofalternative embodiments of the invention it should be mentioned that itcan be adapted to carry electric current to another device operated byelectric current than an electromagnetic device 21, e.g. for operating adriving motor for driving the travelling crab 7 or for operating asignalling device; the device operable by electric current can belocated in another position than shown, e.g. on the travelling crab 7;two electric current carrying lines 24, 25 can be included in one andsame sealing strip 14 or 15 irrespective of whether there is only onesealing strip 14 or 15 for closing the guide rail 4 or there are twosealing strips 14, 15 which together seal or close the guide rail 4; oneelectric current carrying line 24 or 25 can form part of a sealing strip14 or 15 while the other line 25 or 24 is a current carrying member orpart of the guide rail 4; the electric current carrying lines 24 and/or25 may have another shape and/or be of another material than what isdescribed above and shown in the drawings.

I claim:
 1. Electric current carrying device at exhausting devices forexhausting or sucking-out unhealthy gases from vehicles,whereby theexhausting device (1) includes a guide rail (4) for a travelling crab(7), whereby the guide rail (4) includes at least one sealing strip (14and/or 15) which seals or closes lower portions of said guide rail (4),whereby the interior of the travelling crab (7) communicates with theinterior of the guide rail (4), whereby a gas conduit (19) is providedon the traveling crab (7) for removal of the unhealthy gases fromvehicles, through the travelling crab (7) and the guide rail (4),whereby a device (21) operable by means of electric current and locatedon the travelling crab (7) and/or on the gas conduit (19) providedthereon is operable through a current circuit (22) including electriccurrent carrying lines (24, 25) which extend along the guide rail (4)and which are connected to a source (23) of current, whereby the currentcircuit (22) further includes electric current carrying lines (26, 27)which are provided on the travelling crab (7) and which are connected tothe device (21) operable by electric current, whereby the electriccurrent carrying lines (26, 27) on the travelling crab (7) throughsliding contacts (28, 29) are in electric current transmitting contactwith the electric current carrying lines (24, 25) extending along theguide rail (4), and whereby the device (21) operable by electric currentis an electromagnetic device for fastening the gas conduit (19) to avehicle (2) so that exhausts from the exhaust pipe (20) of the vehicle(2) can be sucked thereinto, characterized in that at least one of theelectric current carrying lines (24 and/or 25) running along the guiderail (4) is provided on or is included in or form part of the sealingstrip (14 and/or 15).
 2. Electric current carrying device according toclaim 1, characterized in that the electric current carrying line (24and/or 25) is mounted on the sealing strip (14 and/or 15) so that saidsealing strip (14 and/or 15) insulates said electric current carryingline (24 and/or 25) relative to the guide rail (4) with regard toelectrical contact.
 3. Electric current carrying device according toclaim 2, characterized in that the electric current carrying line (24and/or 25) is mounted on a part of the sealing strip (14 and/or 15)having current insulating properties.
 4. Electric current carryingdevice according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric currentcarrying line (24 and/or 25) is mounted at such mounting portions (30and/or 31) of the sealing strip (14 and/or 15) through which said strip(14 and/or 15) is fastened or attached to the guide rail (4). 5.Electric current carrying device according to claim 1, whereby thesealing strip (14 and 15 respectively) on one side adjacent alongitudinal edge (38) is provided with protruding mounting portions (30and/or 31) through which said strip is attached to the guide rail (4),characterized in that the electric current carrying line (24 and/or 25)is provided on the opposite side of the sealing strip (14 and/or 15)right opposite to or substantially opposite to the protruding mountingportions (30 and/or 31).
 6. Electric current carrying device accordingto claim 5, characterized in that the electric current carrying line (24and/or 25) is mounted in a groove (36 and/or 37) in said opposite sideof the sealing strip (14 and/or 15) and that the groove (36 and/or 37)is defined by two tongues (39, 40) protruding from said opposite side ofthe sealing strip, whereby one tongue (39) extends over a longitudinaledge portion of the electric current carrying line (24 and/or 25) andwhereby the other tongue (40) extends over an opposing edge portion ofsaid electric current carrying line (24 and/or 25).
 7. Electric currentcarrying device according to claim 6, characterized in that at least onetongue (39 and/or 40) is elastic and that the electric current carryingline (24 and/or 25) can be mounted at the sealing strip (14 and/or 15)by insertion into the groove (36 and/or 37) in such manner that onelongitudinal edge portion of said electric current carrying line (24and/or 25) is moved in under one of the tongues (39 and/or 40)whereafter the other tongue (40 and/or 39) is folded away so that theelectric current carrying line (24 and/or 25) can be inserted into thegroove (36 and/or 37) in its entire width, whereafter the tongue (39 or40) folded away is released such that it, due to its elasticity, returnsto its original position so that both tongues (39, 40) retain theelectric current carrying line (24 and/or 25).
 8. Electric currentcarrying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electriccurrent carrying line (24 and/or 25) consists of a tape (32) of metallicmaterial comprising stainless spring steel.
 9. Electric current carryingdevice according to claim 8, characterized in that the tape (32) iscapable of being coiled up or wound upon a roll (33) which is capable ofbeing unwound when said tape (32) is to be mounted on the sealing strip(14 and/or 15) and that the tape (32) at one end portion has a connector(35) through which said tape can be connected to an electric currentline which is adapted to connect the tape (32) to the source (35) ofcurrent.
 10. Electric current carrying device according to claim 9,characterized in that the tape (32) has a rectangular cross-sectionalshape, whereby the thickness of said tape (32) preferably is about 0.5mm and its width preferably about 32 mm.
 11. Electric current carryingdevice according to claim 1, whereby the guide rail (4) has two sealingstrips (14, 15) which together seal or close lower portions of saidguide rail (4), characterized in that one of the electric currentcarrying lines (24 or 25) which extend along the guide rail (4) ismounted on or is included in or form part of one of the sealing strips(14 or 15) and that the other of the electric current carrying lines (25or 24) extending along the guide rail (4) is provided on or is includedin or form part of the other sealing strip (15 or 14).
 12. Electriccurrent carrying device according to claim 11, characterized in thatthose portions (36, 37, 39, 40) of both the sealing strips (14, 15) onwhich the electric current carrying lines (24, 25) are provided or inwhich said lines are included or form part of, are identical orsubstantially identical and that the electric current carrying lines(24, 25) mounted on both the sealing strips (14, 15) or included thereinor forming part thereof, are identical or substantially identical. 13.Electric current carrying device according to claim 1, characterized inthat two electric current carrying lines (24, 25) are provided on or areincluded in or form part of the one and same sealing strip (14 or 15).14. Electric current carrying device according to claim 1, characterizedin that one electric current carrying line (24 or 25) is provided on oris included in or form part of a sealing strip (14 or 15) while anotherelectric current carrying line constitutes an electric current carryingportion or member of the guide rail (4).